A top banker made a case for mining to Pope Leo XIV, who has seen its impact up close

The head of the Inter-American Development Bank, Ilan Goldfajn, met with Pope Leo XIV to argue for responsible rare earth mining in Latin America, emphasizing environmental and labor safeguards. The Vatican has historically opposed mining due to its environmental and social impacts, particularly on Indigenous communities, though Goldfajn highlighted potential regional benefits and existing development projects in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.